Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells. It is synonymous with "myeloma" and "plasma cell myeloma." Plasma cells make antibodies against infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria. A cancerous or malignant plasma cell is called a myeloma cell. Myeloma is called “multiple” because there are frequently multiple patches or areas in bone marrow where it grows.

The mission of the IMF is “Improving the quality of life for myeloma patients while working towards prevention and a cure.” It is tremendous that the BSRI has allowed the IMF to move forward so emphatically in the areas of both prevention and the search for a cure.

iStopMM: a signature program focused on both prevention and cure

In November 2016, the Iceland-based iStopMM project was launched in Reykjavík. Dr. Sanjay Gupta spotlighted the study in a segment broadcast on CNN. A recent video provides a status update. The project’s ambitious screening process to identify new patients with MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance), smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), and multiple myeloma (MM) has been successful beyond all expectations, with over 80,000 individuals screened and tested to date. Now, in 2020, the hard work begins as we work to understand as much as possible about each patient group.

Key questions include:

What clues might point to possible causes for MGUS/SMM/MM?
A major reason for conducting this project in Iceland is that full DNA sequencing is available through deCODE Genetics for all participants. This means that genetic predisposing factors can be accurately assessed. In addition, participants’ full medical histories are available, including family history, occupations, and details of all medical interventions (such as surgeries) and medications used. Diet has already been closely studied. The possible triggering role of infections will now be explored in a new collaboration with investigators in another Black Swan project in France. These French investigators are studying if myeloma is being driven by infections such as hepatitis C or Epstein-Barr virus. Initial results will be available during 2020.

How early does MGUS begin?
Initial screening in the iStopMM project has been for individuals over 40 because the median age of onset for myeloma is approximately 67 years of age. However, using mass spectrometry, a very sensitive technique for detecting the serum M-component, initial indications are that MGUS is occurring at a much younger age than expected, even below the age of 40. Detailed studies of such younger patients, including detailed immune monitoring, are now ongoing to help understand the immune evolution of early disease. During 2020, exciting initial results will become available.

What is the risk status of patients screened in the iStopMM project?
Initial results indicate that a majority of MGUS patients are “low risk” and can be safely followed, which is great news! Conversely, the SMM patients are more frequently “higher risk” and need to be assessed for potential early intervention, with the goal of cure. Dr. Sigurdur Kristinsson, the iStopMM Principal Investigator, is to be congratulated for pulling together a talented team of approximately 20 members to conduct testing, including baseline bone marrow evaluation, and psychological assessments to ensure that no undue stresses occur as a result of the screening process.

Key initial observation from the Iceland study

As a first step, it was important to determine the survival of patients diagnosed with MGUS. Rather surprisingly, the survival appears to be lower than a matched population, even prior to the development of multiple myeloma. This will now become the focus of detailed research, which is clearly warranted. This finding provides strong support for the value and need for early screening, with the potential for both early intervention and prevention strategies

MRD-related projects and the search for a cure

The primary focus for the IMF’s BSRI is to achieve a cure. The first step has been to establish sensitive testing at low levels of disease—minimal residual disease (MRD) testing—to allow accurate tracking of successful therapy.

Results with the very sensitive, cheap, and reliable next-generation flow (NGF) method, developed by a team from the University of Salamanca, Spain, were published in 2017. This has allowed accurate monitoring of deep responses, particularly in the BSRI-supported CESAR and ASCENT “cure trials.” In the CESAR trial, high-risk SMM patients received KRd + ASCT. The results, presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in December 2019, have been excellent. At approximately 3 years, 98% of patients are alive and 94% are in remission, with 62% of patients MRD-negative at the 10-to-minus-6 (1 in 1 million) level. The initial goal is to assess “sustained MRD-negativity” –will MRD-negativity be sustained at 1, 3, and 5 years.

In 2020, during the fourth year of this trial, we will have a strong read-out of the likely long remissions being achieved. Historically, we know that after 4 to 5 years of remission (especially at the 10-to-minus-6 level), truly prolonged remissions beyond 10 years are highly likely. There is a great sense of optimism among researchers about these longer-term results.

The accrual in the ASCENT trial is ongoing now, so it will be a bit longer until we can ascertain the added value of daratumumab with the KRd +/- ASCT in achieving more deep and longer responses. Again, early results are very promising.

Recent MRD research has focused on using NGF testing in the blood (versus in the bone marrow) for monitoring. Early results have already been published showing the value of serial blood monitoring. There is an expectation that blood NGF-testing combined with the very sensitive mass spectrometry testing will be a powerful and sensitive approach that could enable less frequent bone marrow testing. Again, new data will be emerging in 2020 validating this approach.

For patients not achieving MRD-negative status, multiple projects are focused on carefully characterizing the residual and/or relapsing disease. A group of BSRI-supported researchers led by Dr. Andrew Spencer in Australia has been evaluating DNA in the blood: so-called cell free or cfDNA. A remarkable range of mutations have been observed and can serve as a basis of potential new treatment strategies to achieve best outcomes for those patients with residual disease.

Bottom line for 2020

Clearly, a huge amount of progress has been made by the terrific researchers participating in the IMF Black Swan Research Initiative. And 2020 promises to be a banner year, when many new and important results will become available. Stay tuned!

Dr. Brian G.M. Durie founded and now serves as Chairman of the International Myeloma Foundation and serves on its Scientific Advisory Board. Additionally, he is Chairman of the IMF's International Myeloma Working Group, a consortium of nearly 200 myeloma experts from around the world. Dr. Durie also leads the IMF’s Black Swan Research Initiative®.